The BBC will not broadcast the World Indoor Bowls Championship next year, ending a run of continuous coverage since the competition's inception in 1979.
The biggest event in the bowls calendar is moving to other platforms for 2027 as part of a revamp of the BBC's sports coverage.
According to The World Bowls Tour, the competition will now be available to stream on YouTube.
Reaction from Organisers and Sponsors
Gordon Woods, Events Manager of The World Bowls Tour, said: “We are actively exploring opportunities to secure a new broadcast partner, with the aim of continuing to grow the reach and popularity of this world-class tournament.
“In the meantime, we are making a substantial investment into our streaming content, to ensure that those bowls enthusiasts who are unable to spectate live can access the matches, interviews and atmosphere on both YouTube and Facebook and through a new dedicated website.”
Marc Jones, Strategic Marketing Director at Potters Resorts, which has hosted the tournament in Hopton-on-Sea every year for nearly three decades, said: “The BBC has been a valued supporter of the World Indoor Bowls Championships since the very beginning, and we are naturally disappointed by its decision to step away from coverage of the event.
“We understand this follows a significant cost-cutting exercise, but the broadcaster’s contribution to the sport over many years should not be underestimated.
“Our commitment to the sport of bowls remains as strong as ever. We are excited to host the 2027 Championships in January once again, welcoming thousands of bowls enthusiasts back to Potters for what remains the biggest event in the bowls calendar.”
Gordon Nardini, CMO of Ambassador Cruise Line, which sponsors the tournament, said: “While we are naturally disappointed by the BBC’s decision to end its coverage of the World Indoor Bowls Championships, we want to reassure players, fans, partners and the wider bowls community that our commitment to the sport remains unwavering.
“The World Indoor Bowls Championships is one of the sport’s most iconic events and an important part of the sporting calendar for an audience that shares a strong affinity with Ambassador Cruise Line.
“Together with Potters Resorts and the World Bowls Tour, we are fully committed to ensuring the continued success and long-term future of this prestigious championship.”
Broader Pattern of BBC Sport Cuts
It is the latest live sporting event to disappear from the BBC's portfolio. The broadcaster lost the rights to broadcast the Commonwealth Games for the first time in 70 years, with coverage moving to TNT Sports. The Boat Race has also moved away from the BBC to Channel Four, while the Rugby League World Cup has gone back behind a paywall for the first time since 2017 after moving to Premier Sports.
